Big River Leadwood Report 4/9/13

[Ozark Brad]

I picked up a Wilderness System Ride 115 a few weeks ago and finally got to test it out this week at Leadwood Access. I put in and went upstream on 4/5 and again 4/9. Largemouth were shallow in slack water close to cover often schooled up. All were caught on 5 inch green pumpkin Senkos. I could not get a bite on a spinnerbait or fluke. Cannot find the smallmouth yet.

Anyone else hitting up Big River and having some success?

[The Troutdoorsman]

Brad,

I lived in Bonne Terre for years and floated any where from Mounds road to Flat River creek many times. Always had good luck on smallies with a brown and orange jig and pig or a green pumpkin 4" curly tailed grub. Coming down from the old railroad tressel (which they used to call Leadwood beach) there is a steep cut bank with a cow pasture on top. I caught the biggest smallmouth of my life up against that cut bank, about this time of year. They will be deep, next to the banks with sharp drop offs, with cover close, like a dead fall log. There are dozens of good holes in that stretch.

[Ozark Brad]

Thank you for the feedback Troutdoorsman. I think I know the area you are talking about I will be sure to slow down and fish a jig next time. I love the float between Mounds and Leadwood, or sometimes we take out at Terre Du Lac. We normally float it about 10x a summer. Always catch large numbers of fish with an occasional quality one. I live in Park Hills and it's less than 5 minute drive to Leadwood Access from the house. Love having Big River in my back yard.

[Brian Jones]

I've been fishing out of Mammoth on the lower part some. It has been hit or miss. Had a good trip about a month ago.

However, I've been back a couple times since and struggled to catch fish.